Region

About the Essex-Hudson-Union Local Directory

Throughout our directory, the Essex-Hudson-Union term is referring to the region in New Jersey
encompassing the counties of Essex, Hudson, and Union. Covering, in detail, the counties of Essex, Hudson,
and Union located on the northeastern coast of New Jersey. Essex County includes the semi-small and charming
city of Irvington as well as the largest city in New Jersey, Newark. Its smaller cities are Caldwell, Essex
Fells, Glenridge, Maplewood, Milburn, Montclair, North Caldwell, Roseland, Short Hills, Orange, East Orange,
South Orange, and West Essex. Hudson county is near both Ellis Island and Liberty Island. Hudson's major
cities are Bayonne, Hoboken, Jersey City, and Union City. Its smaller cities and towns are East Newark,
Guttenberg, Harrison, Kearny, North Bergen, Weehawken, and West New York. Union county located adjacent to
the counties of Essex and Hudson, incorporates the prominent cities of Elizabeth, Plainfield, Union and the
smaller cities of Berkeley Heights, Clark, Cranford, Kenilworth, Linden, New Providence, Rahway, Roselle,
Springfield, South Plains, Summit, and Westfield.

The Climate Of Essex-Hudson-Union Counties

The temperate climate of central New Jersey, including the counties of Essex, Hudson and Union, ranges
from a high of 66 to a low of 24 degrees in the fall-winter (October through March) and from a high of 86 to
a low of 43 degrees in the spring-summer (April through September).

Area Attractions

With harmonious ecological wonders abound, New Jersey, an area most people think of as a densely
populated concrete jungle, unlocks itself to the curious eyes of tourists and interested future residents
nation-wide. The Essex-Hudson and Union region, offers a variety of outdoor sights and recreation.
Highlights include the Turtle Back Zoo in the county of Essex, an amazing array of golf courses, outdoor
summer concerts. Don't miss the seasonal treasures such as the blooming of the pink cherry blossom trees in
the spring and autumn driving tours through the Pine Barren woodlands in the fall.

Historic attractions exclusive to the northeast coastal region of New Jersey are that of popular and
significant interest to many in the nation that we call home. Gateway to 'The Land Of The Free', or Ellis
Island and the subsequently adjoined monument, the Statue of Liberty, lie extremely close to the
Essex-Hudson-Union region of New Jersey. Nine tenths of the Ellis Island territory actually belongs to
Hudson county and the state of New Jersey.

Prestigious art showings and museums also speckle the coast of New Jersey such as the assortment of
historic homes on display to the public, the Pearl Street Gallery in Elizabeth, and the ongoing events at
the Union County Arts Center, like a production of The Phantom Of The Opera and the performances of many
popular comedians.

Essex County

Holding the second largest county population in the state at 793,633, Essex County is an upscale suburban
district, which offers a range of extraordinary benefits to suit the senior lifestyle. With golfing being
one of Essex's main attractions, this foliage-abundant area of New Jersey offers 3 public golf courses, in
addition to the 26 parks throughout the area that spans nearly 5,000 acres of open space. Out of the 26
beautiful parks this county boasts, twenty were landscaped by the celebrated landscape architect Frederick
Law Olmsted Sr. made famous for his design work on NYC's Central Park as well as the Capital grounds in
Washington, D.C.

Hudson County

With a population of 608,975 Hudson County is a significant historical locale, positioned only several
hundred miles from Liberty and Ellis Islands. With an emphasis on historical preservation and regional
heritage, this is a uniquely individual area within the state of New Jersey. In addition to these traits,
Hudson presents extraordinary senior interest activities including summer cruises and luncheons through the
county's own NJ EASE program.

Union County

Population 522,541, Union county ranks as the smallest of the three counties covered in this guide, yet
where lacking in size, Union county makes up for with an abundance of social attractions for all ages. From
numerous "feasts and festivals" and even a historic journey through the past of Union county
covering four centuries and historic home sites, all of these attractions are available.

The following is an abridged list of large and small city descriptions within the area of
Essex-Union-Hudson New Jersey:

Larger Cities:

Elizabeth - Located in Union County New Jersey, Elizabeth, with a population of over 120,000,
was originally founded in 1664 as the earliest community established in the new colony and as the first
capital of New Jersey, then being named Elizabethtown. Today, Elizabeth is a thriving community, which
has many entertainment options to help you make memories that will last a lifetime.

Newark - Newark, located only five miles west of Manhattan, is a bustling metropolitan center
of activity ranging from the trades of Port Newark and the dealings of Newark International Airport. As
the largest city in New Jersey, the Brick City has been increasing in population and positive reputation
since the 1940's and has decreased in crime, by an astonishing 56% in 2004.

Plainfield - Plainfield - Plainfield, known as the city on the move, is located in the center
of 10 closely linked municipalities, forming the epicenter of various economic and social activities.
Containing more land marked historical sites than any other neighborhood in New Jersey, Plainfield is
known for its abundance of densely clustered shade trees and generously sized lots, making it one of the
best family-friendly communities in the area.

Union - Serving as a more relaxed and sparsely populated sister community to Manhattan, Union
City has been through a myriad of change throughout the past 200 years, originally occupied by the Leni
Lenapi Indians, native to this region, then settled by the Dutch, German and Swiss. After adopting many
diverse cultures and attitudes, Union City, the sundry of New Jersey, then experienced an influx of
Irish and Italian immigrants, adding to the vivid heritage of a modern neighborly community.

Smaller Cities:

Clark - Located in Union county, the township of Clark is small with a population of only about
14,500 and is centrally located nearby many world-renown attractions and historic sites in New York
City.

Irvington - Ever since it was founded as a township in 1874, Irvington has been constantly
moving forward in a continual state of progression throughout its many varied public outreaches, forums
and services. Most recently, it is promoting an elementary school reading program and has just completed
a new $5 million Irvington Bus Terminal, raising the bar on local public transportation.

Linden - Southwest of Elizabeth, Linden is an area, which boasts good proximity, friendly
natives, and unique atmosphere.

Roselle - With the first electric lighting system installed in Roselle by Thomas Edison, this
small city in the Garden State now has a total population of over 21,000 and is a settled locale with a
mood entirely east coast.

Westfield - Whether you prefer quaint, enchanting, or just plain charming, the community of Westfield
has served as the backdrop for the television series "Ed," politely revealing its beautiful
purity within every facet of small-town life.

History of the Area

Originally inhabited by the Leni Lenapi Indians, Essex-Hudson-Union was a pleasing coastal region for the
Native Americans who originally occupied this territory. Beginning in the 15th century and ranging to the
17th century, the region experienced a large concentration of English and Dutch peoples migrating to the
area, in essence, because of its accessibility to the ocean. The initial colonial community was established
by these Dutch and English immigrants, proving to be an excellent location for such necessary survival
resources as fertile soil, plentiful natural resources, and the genuine splendor of the area.

The significant Elizabethtown Purchase of 1664 led to the first permanently established Colonial
settlement in the state of New Jersey. Within the account of this purchase were the actions of the Leni
Lenapi Indians who, without full knowledge of what they were offering up, sold the rights to a substantial
expanse of territory, spanning from the Passaic River to the Raritan River and increasingly to the west for
over thirty miles to the English settlers. Believing they were selling the rights to fishing, hunting, and
cultivation on the tract of land, the Indians did not understand the English perception of land 'ownership'
that the early migrants from abroad were accustomed to.

Becoming expansively developed in the pre-Civil War 1850's, the counties of Essex, Hudson, and Union
gained a reputation for being particularly united as a region and progressing toward the common goal of
strength and elevation of governmental systems individually and as a whole. In addition, during the late
1800's, the region developed a solid foundation of manufacturing and transportation industry activity.

Transportation of Essex-Union-Hudson

Transportation operations in the Essex-Union-Hudson region of New Jersey are categorized in three
different classifications; bus, rail and Para transit. Bus services in the region include multiple
fixed-route transit (intra-city), shorter-distance and longer-distance services with multiple transfer
stations and lines. Rail services include the PATH 24-hour trains via the Hoboken terminal, MidTOWN DIRECT
lines also through the Hoboken terminal, the Newark Division connecting routes and the Atlantic City Rail
Lines serving multiple destinations like Philadelphia and Atlantic City itself. Para transit services are
essentially accessible transportation for those unable to utilize traditional fixed-route bus, rail and
light rail operations. These services include pick up and drop off door-to-door transportation functions,
which are extremely helpful to individuals who cannot drive or arrange services on their own.

Senior Services of Essex-Hudson-Union

National polls show that New Jersey, whether it be in the country, on the beach or in the city, has been
ranked in the top third of all states in the country for having a high rating of livability pertaining to
the areas of healthcare, lifestyle options, low crime and education. This rating reflects positively on the
area as a whole and suggests that the Garden State is an excellent place to call home.

With an abundant variety of living options available in Essex-Hudson-Union, there is a constant quality
of excellence suited to suit the needs of seniors throughout the region. From prevention health education to
statewide senior benefits and utilization management, NJ PHEN, Alzheimer's and Cancer care and expert
nursing, the central New Jersey Region merges active senior living with professional health services, which
prove to be in a league of their own. Also featured in senior services is assisted living and dynamic
retirement communities.

Make certain to check out the Resourcess page on the SeniorsReourceGuide.com
website for valuable information on the state's airports, television, government resources, and local
activity websites that will help you discover all this bountiful region has to offer.